728 health facilities have been shut down—with a staggering 394 closures in Nairobi alone—in a bold move by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to root out non-compliant institutions.
The crackdown, which began in March, is part of a national operation aimed at enforcing the Inspections and Licensing Rules, 2022, a set of stringent standards crafted to protect patients and elevate the quality of healthcare in both public and private sectors.
Partnering with county governments and other health regulatory bodies, KMPDC officials have launched aggressive, on-the-ground inspections across counties, including Mandera, Wajir, Kisii, Nyamira, and Nairobi, leading to the closure of hundreds of unsafe and illegal medical centers.
Out of 1,983 facilities inspected, more than one-third were found to be critically non-compliant and immediately shut down. The worst-hit counties include:
- Nairobi: 394 closures
- Kisii: 120 closures
- Nyamira: 79 closures
- Wajir: 77 closures
- Mandera: 58 closures
In addition to the closures, 301 health institutions were downgraded for failing to meet the required infrastructure and operational standards, making them ineligible for full licensure.
The inspections, backed by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act (CAP 253), are Kenya’s strongest response yet to widespread concerns about quack doctors, unlicensed facilities, and deadly malpractice.
At least 31 individuals have been arrested, accused of running unlicensed clinics and hiring unqualified staff, exposing patients to life-threatening risks.
“This is not just regulation—it’s a lifesaving intervention,” said a KMPDC spokesperson. “Our mission is to ensure no Kenyan has to gamble with their life when seeking medical care.”
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has supported the nationwide operation, stating that it’s a necessary step toward transparency, accountability, and safer treatment environments.
KMPDC insists that it will continue enforcing these rules “firmly and fairly,” pledging to leave no stone unturned in the fight against medical malpractice and unsafe healthcare practices.
As panic spreads among rogue facility owners and relief washes over concerned patients, Kenyans are now looking to the government to sustain the momentum—and ensure that access to healthcare doesn’t come at the cost of safety.
Is your clinic next on the list? The health sector is under siege—and the revolution has just begun.
